Availability And Utilization Of Laboratory Resources In Teaching And Learning Biology

The survey of availability and utilization of laboratory resources in teaching and learning biology in Enugu North LGA, Enugu State, It adopted a descriptive  survey research design and was guided by one (1) checklist and two (2) research questions. It sought to find out laboratory resources available for teaching and learning biology in secondary schools in Enugu North LGA, the extent of adequacy in the provision of laboratory resources in secondary schools and the extent of utilization of the laboratory resources by the biology teachers in teaching and learning biology.  Descriptive survey research design was employed for the study, a population of thirty six (36) teachers, due to factors that could not be controlled by the researcher a total of (20) respondents were used for the study, the total number of teachers of secondary schools in Enugu North LGA is thirty six(36) for this reason, there was no need for sampling . The instrument used for data collection was a researcher developed questionnaire tagged Questionnaire on Availability and Utilization of Laboratory Resources in teaching and learning Biology (QAULR). The questionnaire has sixty (60) items. Descriptive statistics including percentages, mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions while frequency was used to ascertain the relative position of the items in their order of priority/effect. It was revealed from the study that a total of sixteen out of the twenty listed items were available of in biology laboratories. The study also revealed that laboratory resources are not adequately provided for in secondary schools. Additionally, due to inadequacy in the quantity and quality of laboratory resources provided to secondary schools, students and teachers find it difficult to utilize the laboratory effectively. Different factors ranging from inadequate fund; over enrollment of students into government secondary schools; inadequacy in quantity and quality of human and material resources; lack of storage facilities; lack of supervision;  together with ignorance on the proper usage of resources due to lack of training were found to militate against provision, utilization of laboratory resources in secondary schools. Based on the above problems, it was recommended that biology laboratories should be adequately funded; staff, students and laboratory technologists/assistants should be adequately trained on proper improvisation of laboratory; appropriate storage of material resources; provision of accurate records/logistics; replacement/repair of damaged/faulty laboratory materials; appropriate planning, implementation, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of all biology laboratory utilizers among others were suggested as strategies for improving provision and utilization of laboratory resources in secondary schools.